An enjoyable hard hitting drama giving an insight into the world of drugs and county lines. It seems frighteningly real when children are involved. Looking forward to seeing how the series develops.

I’d like to thank Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Murder Across The Lines’, the second book in the Warwick & Bell Crime Mysteries written by Janice Frost, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Off-duty Special Constable Jane Bell witnesses the stabbing of a young girl who whispers the name ‘Nate’ as she lies dying on the pavement. Jane gives her statement to DI Steph Warwick who she’s crossed swords with on a previous case and who seems incapable of treating her with anything other than disdain. Jane is determined that come what may she’s going to discover the identity of Nate regardless of what DI Warwick thinks of her.

‘Murder Across The Lines’ is a fast-paced police thriller where county line drug dealers coerce youngsters into delivering their goods. Once again we meet Jane Bell who comes across as a genuinely nice ex-teacher turned special constable and her old adversary Steph Warwick whose cold attitude hasn’t diminished and still comes across as thoroughly unlikeable. My sympathies go with her sergeant Elias Harper who supports her but bears the brunt of her bad humour. The story is based in Lincoln and has a strong plot with plenty of action and unlikeable characters but it comes over as old-fashioned, almost as if it’s been written some years ago. I normally like this author’s novels, especially those of DS Ava Merry, but although I’m getting through it I’m struggling to enjoy this new series as much.

Warwick and Bell Book two.
PC Jane Bell.off duty witnesses a teenage girl been stabbed, it happened so fast on the crossing on Burton Road Lincoln. A motorbike with two males in leather then they spred off. There's a lot of knife crimes and drug related cases going on around , DI Steph Warwick is the senior investigating officer on the case Jane and her still have their moment.
As we read on more comes to surface with known characters.
Wow I enjoyed the first in the series and the second is brilliant,
Full of twists
Full of action
Full of wholesome goodness
From the author who has once again fulfilled a happy Booklover.
Enjoyed every page.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Murder Across the Lines by Janice Frost in exchange for an honest review. Jane Bell witnesses a stabbing of a child. DI Steph Warwick has been helped by special Constable called Jane Bell. Jane saved the DI's life by pulling her off of a man on fire. DI Warwick is then called to the murder of a drug dealer.
This book has opened my eyes to how much children can get caught up in gangs and drugs. I feel like I have lived in a bubble living in the mountains in a small town.

A Credible Cast..
The second in the Warwick and Bell crime mysteries finds the duo in deeply disturbing, distressing waters. Well written, twists and turns aplenty and with a credible cast of characters but with a vicious, intense and emotional storyline.

Hard hitting and realistic feeling story about the effects - mainly on children - of the County Lines gangs. Children are 'groomed' abducted and murdererd by the gang heavies. Frightening.

Really enjoyed it although it shows a side of real life that we could live without.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

A decent follow up with the return and growth of several characters and a horribly contemporary plot.
There's an awful lot of repetitive language used though, without it the book could easily be reduced by at least a couple of chapters worth of unnecessary waffling

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
In Lincoln City a young girl is knifed by a biker and Special Officer Jane Bell is there, horrified, as she holds the girl who dies on the way to the hospital.
DI Steph Warwick gets the case and Jane is nervous about being interrogated by Steph. Their relationship is not a good one after their previous case.
A young boy, Nate, has gone missing, his name the last word the killed young girl spoke.
The whole book is about gangs who groom youngsters to distribute drugs, and the viciousness with which they treat the kids and the bad relationship between Jane and Steph. I found myself getting bored and gave up about 3/4 into the book. Sorry!